Guidebook for Rochester
Food Scene
Ichi Tokyo (South)
102 20th St SEBest sushi in town.
The staff is wonderful. Hang out at the bar you won't be disappointed.
25 locals recommend
Victoria's Ristorante & Wine Bar
7 1st Ave SWThe staff is wonderful. Hang out at the bar you won't be disappointed.
Great atmosphere and central location. Recommend the Ahi Tuna Salad or Rotisserie Chicken.
63 locals recommend
Chester's Kitchen & Bar
111 Broadway Ave SGreat atmosphere and central location. Recommend the Ahi Tuna Salad or Rotisserie Chicken.
The Thirsty Belgian
2650 Broadway Ave SYummy pizza, good beer selection, and friendly staff.
Free popcorn, comfort food, and cheap beer. Nice patio in the summer. Head here for brunch on Sundays and build your own bloody mary.
10 locals recommend
Whistle Binkies On the Lake
247 Woodlake DrFree popcorn, comfort food, and cheap beer. Nice patio in the summer. Head here for brunch on Sundays and build your own bloody mary.
Cozy spot in the basement of this historic building with live music most nights.
22 locals recommend
The Redwood Room
300 1st Ave NWCozy spot in the basement of this historic building with live music most nights.
Free popcorn and great burgers. Half price pitchers on Wednesdays. Decent brunch as well.
12 locals recommend
Newt's South
1201 Broadway Ave SFree popcorn and great burgers. Half price pitchers on Wednesdays. Decent brunch as well.
High end food and craft coctails. Parking is a bit hard to come by.
23 locals recommend
Bleu Duck Kitchen
14 4th St SWHigh end food and craft coctails. Parking is a bit hard to come by.
El Carambas
1503 12th St SEGreat value for authentic mexican. Amazing fresh salsa bar.
Pho Chau
1014 N Broadway AveIf you enjoy pho check this place out. Very reasonable prices.
Mango Thai
318 Broadway Ave SGreat thai food. Slightly pricey, but worth it.
Best nachos in town hands down - huge portion too. Check out the patio in summer.
12 locals recommend
Hefe Rojo
216 1st Ave SWBest nachos in town hands down - huge portion too. Check out the patio in summer.
Great BBQ joint. Multiple locations in town. Be sure to try the fried okra.
12 locals recommend
John Hardy's BBQ
1940 Broadway Ave SGreat BBQ joint. Multiple locations in town. Be sure to try the fried okra.
Pop in for a free slice of bread. They have good sandwhiches and cookies in addition to bread.
16 locals recommend
Great Harvest Bread Co.
706 N Broadway AvePop in for a free slice of bread. They have good sandwhiches and cookies in addition to bread.
China Star
2808 41st St NWGrab someChinees to go.
Great Vegan food and coffee. Be sure to check the hours before heading over though.
10 locals recommend
Old Abe Coffee Shop
832 7th St NWGreat Vegan food and coffee. Be sure to check the hours before heading over though.
Workshop Food Hall & Bar
1232 3rd Avenue SoutheastPizza, Burgers, Tacos, and more. Great atmosphere.
Purple Goat
3708 North Broadway AvenueTrendy new spot in NW Rochester. Great outdoor space.
Excellent food. Grab the sushi or poke bowl. Open concept dining so it can get loud and hard to carry a conversation.
15 locals recommend
CRAVE Food & Drink (Rochester)
220 Broadway Avenue SouthExcellent food. Grab the sushi or poke bowl. Open concept dining so it can get loud and hard to carry a conversation.
The Tap House West End
2365 Commerce Dr NWOver 100 beers on tap. Great food and vibe.
Find dining European Restaurant. Head there on Wednesdays for date night. $60 Bottle of wine, appetizer, 2 meals, and dessert.
Chez Bojji
301 North Broadway AvenueFind dining European Restaurant. Head there on Wednesdays for date night. $60 Bottle of wine, appetizer, 2 meals, and dessert.
Almadina restaurant
101 North Broadway AvenueMediterranean food done right. Don't be deceived by the exterior.
Drinks & Nightlife
63 Club
1726 Broadway Ave SBest local dive bar in town. Walking distance to the Airbnb.
A great place to hang out. Be sure to check out the patio in summer. Live music some nights.
76 locals recommend
Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NWA great place to hang out. Be sure to check out the patio in summer. Live music some nights.
A dive bar with three different levels including a rooftop bar that is open in summer.
20 locals recommend
Dooley's Pub
255 1st Ave SWA dive bar with three different levels including a rooftop bar that is open in summer.
Two level tap house located downtown with the largest selections of tap beers in town. Rooftop patio open in summer. Live music some nights.
26 locals recommend
The Tap House
10 3rd St SWTwo level tap house located downtown with the largest selections of tap beers in town. Rooftop patio open in summer. Live music some nights.
Cool brewery (with great beer), games, live music some nights. Food provided by rotating food trucks. Check facebook for food selction.
20 locals recommend
Little Thistle Brewing
2031 14th St NWCool brewery (with great beer), games, live music some nights. Food provided by rotating food trucks. Check facebook for food selction.
Whisky bar with a huge selection of scotch, whisky, and burbon. Food is OK, grab a pizza if you need a snak. Live music some nights. Nice paito in summer.
17 locals recommend
The Half Barrel
304 1st Ave SWWhisky bar with a huge selection of scotch, whisky, and burbon. Food is OK, grab a pizza if you need a snak. Live music some nights. Nice paito in summer.
This is a family-owned and operated boutique winery specializing in small batches of wine made from regionally grown grapes.
6 locals recommend
Salem Glen Winery
5211 60th Ave SWThis is a family-owned and operated boutique winery specializing in small batches of wine made from regionally grown grapes.
Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery is a fully operational winery, cidery, restaurant and event center. Spend an afternoon exploring and sipping here.
24 locals recommend
Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery
78757 MN-16Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery is a fully operational winery, cidery, restaurant and event center. Spend an afternoon exploring and sipping here.
Check out their Facebook page for up to date live music and events
12 locals recommend
Thesis Beer Project
1929 2nd St SWCheck out their Facebook page for up to date live music and events
Parks & Nature
Enjoy biking, rollerblading, jogging, observing the Giant Canada geese, and strolling around Silver Lake. Paddleboat, canoe, tandem bikes, and more rentals are available.
48 locals recommend
Silver Lake Park
770 W Silver Lake Dr NEEnjoy biking, rollerblading, jogging, observing the Giant Canada geese, and strolling around Silver Lake. Paddleboat, canoe, tandem bikes, and more rentals are available.
https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/
Get up close and personal with the Eagles.
45 locals recommend
National Eagle Center
50 Pembroke Avehttps://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/
Get up close and personal with the Eagles.
Whitewater State Park Visitor Center
Some great hiking here.
Lanesboro is the recreational and cultural capital of southeast Minnesota.
21 locals recommend
Lanesboro
Lanesboro is the recreational and cultural capital of southeast Minnesota.
Enjoy biking, rollerblading, jogging, observing the Giant Canada geese, and strolling around Silver Lake. Paddleboat, canoe, tandem bikes, and more rentals are available.
48 locals recommend
Silver Lake Park
770 W Silver Lake Dr NEEnjoy biking, rollerblading, jogging, observing the Giant Canada geese, and strolling around Silver Lake. Paddleboat, canoe, tandem bikes, and more rentals are available.
Head out for a dip in the lake. Pack a lunch and enjoy the "beach".
12 locals recommend
Chester Woods Park
8378 14 Highway SoutheastHead out for a dip in the lake. Pack a lunch and enjoy the "beach".
Shopping
Located just an hour and a half away, you can shop til your hear is content. Rochester Direct has daily shuttle service if you don't have a car.
476 locals recommend
Mall of America
60 East BroadwayLocated just an hour and a half away, you can shop til your hear is content. Rochester Direct has daily shuttle service if you don't have a car.
Apache Mall
U.S. 14Check out the local shopping mall.
A shopping mall conveniently located in downtwon Rochester.
18 locals recommend
Shops At University Square
111 Broadway Ave SA shopping mall conveniently located in downtwon Rochester.
Arts & Culture
The Rochester Art Center is a contemporary arts center offering exhibitions of local, national and international art, as well as tours, classes, and workshops.
44 locals recommend
Rochester Art Center
30 Civic Center Dr SEThe Rochester Art Center is a contemporary arts center offering exhibitions of local, national and international art, as well as tours, classes, and workshops.
Check out the upcoming shows and events.
http://www.rochestercivictheatre.org/
7 locals recommend
Rochester Civic Theatre
30 Civic Center Dr SECheck out the upcoming shows and events.
http://www.rochestercivictheatre.org/
Top of the line theatre with several stages. Be sure to hang out on The Endless Bridge or in The Amber Box.
376 locals recommend
Guthrie Theater
818 S 2nd StTop of the line theatre with several stages. Be sure to hang out on The Endless Bridge or in The Amber Box.
This plaza is host to a variety of events throughout the year. In summer check out Thursday's on First and 3rd. In winter check out Social Ice.
7 locals recommend
Peace Plaza
Peace PlazaThis plaza is host to a variety of events throughout the year. In summer check out Thursday's on First and 3rd. In winter check out Social Ice.
A unique space where artists can afford to work, learn, and grow their craft. https://www.castlecommunity.org/events
Castle Community
121 N Broadway AveA unique space where artists can afford to work, learn, and grow their craft. https://www.castlecommunity.org/events
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1200 16th St SWPeople's Food Co-op
519 1st Ave SWWalmart Supercenter
3400 55th St NWThis grocery store will deliver check out : aisles online https://www.hy-vee.com/grocery/
79 locals recommend
Hy-Vee
500 37th St NWThis grocery store will deliver check out : aisles online https://www.hy-vee.com/grocery/
Entertainment & Activities
In summer there are free concerts on Sunday nights. BYOB.
http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/music-riverside-concerts-1513
18 locals recommend
Mayo Civic Center
30 Civic Center Dr SEIn summer there are free concerts on Sunday nights. BYOB.
http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/music-riverside-concerts-1513
Free concerts in the park on Sundays during the summer. Nice indoor concert series during the winter.
Riverside Concerts
201 4th St SEFree concerts in the park on Sundays during the summer. Nice indoor concert series during the winter.
Check out a movie in style - this theatre features dream loungers...but don't fall asleep
14 locals recommend
Marcus Rochester Cinema
4340 Maine Ave SECheck out a movie in style - this theatre features dream loungers...but don't fall asleep
At this studio they offer beginner step by step paint classes, and art projects. You can even sip on wine while doing it. Reserve a seat they fill up fast.
9 locals recommend
Canvas & Chardonnay
317 Broadway Ave SAt this studio they offer beginner step by step paint classes, and art projects. You can even sip on wine while doing it. Reserve a seat they fill up fast.